At the invitation of French President François Hollande, IUCN’s Director General, Inger Andersen, travelled with a high-level delegation this week to the Philippines to see first-hand the impacts of climate change on the island nation and mobilise support for a global climate deal which is expected to be signed later this year in Paris. …

Every year, 2 February marks World Wetlands Day, commemorating the 1971 signing of the Ramsar Convention – an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. This year’s theme is ‘Wetlands for our Future’, aiming to raise awareness among younger generations, and for all to reflect on the health and unique value of wetlands. …

In the early hours of a snowy Saturday morning in New York, United Nations delegates took a historic step towards safeguarding the global ocean commons. Government representatives at a UN meeting agreed to launch a formal preparatory process for a global and legally-binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. …